Despite the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the master and pilot decided to depart Oshawa Harbour. The tugs were released before the Seneca had sufficient headway to maintain a proper course through the channel. The vessel made bottom contact and struck the eastern seawall entrance at low speed as a result of high winds blowing it out of the channel, insufficient manoeuvring space being available, and attending tugs being ineffectively deployed.Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors Despite the rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the master and pilot decided to depart Oshawa Harbour. The tugs were released before the Seneca had sufficient headway to maintain a proper course through the channel. The vessel made bottom contact and struck the eastern seawall entrance at low speed as a result of high winds blowing it out of the channel, insufficient manoeuvring space being available, and attending tugs being ineffectively deployed. In view of the deteriorating weather and confined channel, the decision by the master and pilot to depart in a light condition put all three vessels and their crews at increased risk.Finding as to Risk In view of the deteriorating weather and confined channel, the decision by the master and pilot to depart in a light condition put all three vessels and their crews at increased risk. Safety Action Action Taken Managing Company Based on its own investigation, the company issued a circular to all fleet vessels titled "Office Standing Instructions No.36- Instructions on Suspension of Vessel's Movements" that addressed a proper evaluation by the master of the prevailing weather conditions prior to any vessel's movement in a port and the master's overriding authority to postpone or suspend intended operations, regardless of pilot advice.